<p>Was asked on another thread to give a report. We visited both in search of possible "safeties"--similar admissions statistics at both schools. Gave our D a chance to contrast "fit" at quite different campuses. She clearly preferred G.</p>
<p>Best thing about American --they make optimum use of their location in DC. No classes take place on Wednesdays so students can do full day internships--they have lots of connections with government agencies and media outlets. They have an honors program that seems to offer excellent opportunities for personal attention and small classes. Student body seems socially and politically diverse. Clear presence of campus Republicans and Democrats-- decorated elephant and donkey sculptures here and there--a few pandas too. Feel is pre-professional--law, international relations, communications. Campus has a couple of large quads where it seems like everyone hangs out between classes--so students seem to see a lot of each other all the time.</p>
<p>In contrast, Goucher has a park-like campus, more liberal artsy and less pre-professional--trees and winding paths, so there's a feeling you could wander off on your own and not always meet everyone but the school feels small and personal--very small classes, usually around 20. This appealed to my daughter, as did the clear emphasis on writing in all subjects. Students somewhat less diverse in appearance than at American but ranging from a few preppy, a few artsy, and a lot of informal liberal-looking types with a sprinkling of eccentrics. Students seemed fairly articulate but less "professional" than the American kids--also more athletic types at American, while Goucher has an equestrian and dance--oriented contingent. </p>
<p>American info-session was high-powered somewhat "cheerleader-ish" in tone, Goucher was low key and reassuring-pride in the school without hard sell. Goucher cafeteria food seemed good to our whole family--American U. food was more run of the mill with on campus McDonald's as well. American tone was more boisterous, Goucher more laid back--also more women there, of course. Goucher seemed like a place where you would not get lost in a crowd even if you were more of an introvert and would be supported in developing leadership skills that you might not( yet) possess.</p>
<p>All in all ,the contrasts helped my D to clarify what she is looking for in a college. Neither school was "bad" but each seemed to be geared to different types.</p>
<p>BTW, Goucher does offer a semester in DC at American U. for internships and gov-related experiences--could be best of both worlds.</p>
<p>I found your thread. Thanks for posting this. I had no idea American doesn't have classes on Wednesdays. I could see this as a plus for certain kids.</p>
<p>Pye, Thanks for this! It sounds like my daughter's impression of the kids she met on campus last summer do translate to the student body as a whole and that is good news. Did you happen to pick up a copy of Goucher's strategic plan? They are going to grow to 1500 students in the next 2-3 years and next year they will require all students to live on campus all 4 years.</p>
<p>Thanks for posting - I'm definitely going to let my daughter know about that no-classes-on-Wednesdays thing. American might be an excellent match/safety for her - she is very interested in politics, has experience living abroad with a foreign exchange, and DC is one of her favorite cities. She is also very outgoing and proactive -- so it could be a very good fit for her.</p>
<p>calmom, info-session admissions lady at American described how she meets scores of business-dressed American kids at the Metro station on Wed. mornings "going to work". Also they have a very active shuttle bus system for getting you to the Metro and downtown DC. There are sororities and frats if you want them but they play a minor role, we were told.</p>
<p>carolyn, yes we heard about the strategic plan at Goucher --no more honors admissions, by the way, but possible honors in your major later.
New large dorm visibly under construction--it will have suites and singles. A controversy on campus is the decision to charge differential room rates--$ 500 more if you want a single. Also a tuition increase has been announced. They definitely seem to be positioning Goucher to develop its reputation. Leafed though the Alumni mag and saw lots of graduates reporting responsible leadership oriented jobs.</p>
<p>Yes, I'd read about that charge for singles. Seems to make sense and most other schools do it. My daughter loved the dorms at Goucher - the rooms we saw were among the largest we've seen any where, and those walk in closets are real nice.</p>
<p>Goucher was on our list. Decided not to go, but I was very impressed with the nice letter written after deciding not to attend. Good communications and everything received was very positive.</p>
<p>Beloit
I believe Goucher was the only school that required a Profile, and we did not bother to fill one out. That pretty much eliminated Goucher.</p>
<p>Pyewacket, I was a little skeptical so I checked the American website to pull up a schedule of classes. They DO have classes on Wednesday, but what I can see it that MOST classes meet twice a week, either Monday-Thursday, or Tues-Friday. A couple of Monday-Wednesday classes, and quite a few Wednesday-only classes -- but most of the Wednesday classes also seemed to have alternate sections available that didn't meet on Wednesday. So what I can see is that it would be very easy for most students to arrange to keep Wednesdays open on their schedule. </p>
<p>Not quite the same as no classes at all on Wednesday - but I can see that the school is committed to allowing students flexibility in scheduling - and it looks like Wednesdays would be the easiest to keep open for a student so inclined.</p>